Well lot's has happened since I last updated this page, but one thing never changes;
Stephen Hendry just keeps getting better!! On his way to
winning the U.K tournament (again!!) he knocked in his
third 147 during competition, this feat in itself is hard enough but to keep winning titles
aswell!!. Not only is Stephen a fantastic talent but he is also one of the most dedicated
sportsmen, Stephen Hendry is one of the best examples that hard work and dedication pay off. As
for the rest of the pack well as I predicted the young man from Wales Matthew Stevens is making
his mark , he has won the Benson and Hedges event in
Scotland obtaining him a wild card entry for the Benson and Hedges Masters at Wembley.
Unfortunately Ronnie O'Sullivan's bad run of results
seem to be continuing, this is a shame because it would seem events off of the table rather than
on it are to blame. Ronnie has surely got a rare talent and it deserves to be seen, but is it
right that every time he is in the press other members of his family are mentioned more than him?.
I think the press should stick to the job of reporting the sport of Snooker, something the
tabloids seem unable to do.

The WPBSA snookers ruling body have just clinched a five year deal with BBC television to show
four top ranked Snooker events including the World Championships, this is good news for our
beloved sport. On the surface it would seem that we have lost out because the BBCs main rival SKY
would have shown more live action, but BBC have a wider audience and have agreed to put snooker on
earlier in the evening (about time too). Also to fall in line with other top sports they will be
relaxing the rule regarding the wearing of 'Logos'. I know many of you out there maybe starved of
top snooker action but let me tell you this year has been a very good year for the development of
snooker around the globe. Snooker is now shown into 160 countries worldwide, and it is now being
considered as an Olympic Sport, should this go ahead snooker truly will be a global sport.

Please keep writing to me with any comments you
may have especially if you live outside the U.K, also if you think your country would be a good
place to hold a tournament then let me know. Well January is coming and that means qualifying,
this is the graveyard of snooker to many players, their whole seasons if not careers can be made
or lost during these early rounds. If only the general public could see just how much blood, sweat
and tears are spilled here each year. Anyway if your in Blackpool in January (Brrrrr Chilly) then I
will see you there if not I will write to you all when I get back and let you know the facts.

Richard Fountain

The Fountain is a column written by Richard Fountain from England. He is the manager of Mark King, a new and promising player who is provisionally 37 in the new rankings for 95-96. He will be writing to you throughout the snooker year and will try to give you all the inside info on this great game. Please feel free to write him <richfo@globalnet.com.uk> with any questions you may have.